A24's Heretic: Release date, cast, plot, and everything we know so far

Hugh Grant plays a terrifying villain in A24's Heretic, a spine-chilling psychological horror film scheduled to be released in the US on November 15.

The upcoming horror feature from the writer-director duo Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, who previously made A Quiet Place, is about a sinister homeowner, Mr. Reed (Grant). He gets a visit from two young Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who he then terrorizes through a series of psychological games.

The upcoming film joins the lineup of Woods and Beck's projects together, such as Stephen King's adaptation, The Boogeyman, Adam Driver's 65, and Haunt.

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When is Heretic going to be released?

As mentioned earlier, A24 has announced that the horror film featuring Hugh Grant is set to premiere in the US on November 15, releasing exclusively in the movie theaters. For UK movie-goers, the upcoming film will arrive in theaters a week after its US premiere, on November 22.

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Cast and characters in the movie

Hugh Grant, who went from playing the romantic lead in classic rom-coms in the 2000s to recently embracing darker characters in films such as Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, The Gentlemen, and Cloud Atlas, will star as Mr. Reed in the upcoming horror flick.

Starring opposite the Notting Hill actor in the movie, are two young actresses Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher. East had starred in Generation and Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans, and Thatcher's acting credits include The Book of Boba Fett and Chicago Med.

Other cast members joining the trio are:

• Elle McKinnon
• River Codack
• Carolyn Adair
• Stephanie Lavigne
• Elle Young

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What is Heretic all about?

A24 is known for its religion-themed psychological horror subgenre, and the upcoming movie is no different. It follows Hugh Grant's Mr. Reed and two young women missionaries, who he welcomed inside his cozy, blueberry pie-scented home. Unbeknownst to them, they soon find themselves imprisoned in a maze created by the heinous homeowner that will test their religious faith.

The official film synopsis reads:

"Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse."

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Does Heretic have a trailer?

A24 had just released Heretic's official trailer on Tuesday, June 25, giving viewers the first glimpse into Hugh Grant's latest character as a crafty villain.

The trailer begins with the two missionaries knocking on a door as Mr. Reed welcomes them. The two girls put their religious pursuits before the older homeowner who invites them inside for some pie. While the three of them talk about faith and doctrine in the living room, Mr. Reed steps away to get the blueberry pie from the oven. As he walks away, one of the girls notices the "blueberry pie" scented candle burning, which makes her suspicious.

The next scene shows one of the girls trying to open the front door, which the homeowner had already locked. While Mr. Reed tells the girls that he won't keep them if they wish to leave, they have to choose which door to go through, "BELIEF" or "DISBELIEF," based on their faith.

As each of the girls play the game to escape, they are seen trying to find a way out from a carefully crafted maze, the same labyrinth that the heinous Mr. Reed is then seen making, in a miniature size.

If the film's trailer is any indication, viewers can expect a sinister yet alluring film come November that starts in an unsuspecting manner but builds into something darker as the naive protagonists get trapped in this psychological horror.

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Heretic will be out exclusively in threatres in the US on November 15, and in UK, on November 22.